Greece is struggling with severe water shortages as climate change intensifies droughts and aging infrastructure leaks nearly half of its drinking water. The crisis threatens agriculture, public health, and daily life.
In Argolida, southern Greece, water seeps from cracked irrigation canals while aging underground pipes lose over half the water they carry, according to officials. During dry months, brackish backup sources supply homes in Nafplion, leaving residents unable to drink tap water.
"You can smell the difference in the water, feel the dryness on your clothes," said jeweller Lydia Sarakinioti, who uses bottled water even for cooking.
The crisis reflects a broader European problem. This month, the EU launched a campaign to tackle water shortages, requiring member states to assess leakage levels before imposing legal limits next year. The initiative, expected to cost hundreds of billions of euros, comes as extreme weather worsens across southern Europe.
Greece, which has spent over €1.5 billion on drinking water infrastructure since 2019, loses around 50% of its drinking water due to leaks and theft—double the EU average of 23%. A decade-long debt crisis has left its pipeline network outdated, with many maps either missing or not digitized.
In Argolida, a key agricultural region producing about a third of Greece’s oranges, the problems are acute. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pledged action in November, promising irrigation network extensions and a desalination unit, but officials warn of fundamental flaws.
"If an area's network leaks everywhere, what's the point of buying a new desalination unit or drilling a well?" said Environment Ministry official Petros Varelidis, noting that leakages in some areas reach 80%.
Contaminated Water and Environmental Risks
Water scarcity has led to poor quality. When the reservoir feeding Nafplion shrinks, authorities supplement it with brackish water from Anavalos, a submarine spring. Tests from June 2022 to November 2024, seen by Reuters, revealed excessive chloride and sodium levels, posing risks to those with kidney or blood pressure issues.
The coastal town of Ermioni faces similar problems, with only 8% of its 13,500 residents having permanent access to safe drinking water. Many rely on bottled water, exacerbating plastic waste.
Outside urban areas, farmers drill up to 300 meters underground in search of water, often finding it too salty due to seawater intrusion into depleted aquifers.
"Every drop of water is indispensable… We pin our hopes on rainy winters," said farmer George Mavras, as drought-stricken fields struggle to survive.
With climate change worsening and infrastructure under strain, Greece’s water crisis is set to deepen without urgent intervention.
Greece loses 50% of its drinking water due to leaks and theft – twice the EU average.
In Argolida, irrigation canals crack and underground pipes waste half the water.
Some areas lose up to 80% of their water supply.
Hotter summers & erratic rainfall worsen the crisis.
2023-24 saw record-breaking heat, leaving many areas dry for months.
Farmers drill up to 300m underground, but salty seawater seeps into depleted wells.
In Nafplion, residents cannot drink tap water when reservoirs run low.
In Ermioni, only 8% of people have permanent access to safe drinking water.
High chloride & sodium levels detected in backup water sources.
Greece has spent €1.5 billion since 2019 on water infrastructure.
PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis promised new irrigation networks & desalination plants.
Officials say fixing leaks must come first before investing in new systems.
Many rely on plastic bottled water, increasing waste.
Farmers depend on rainy winters, but droughts make survival harder.
The EU launched a water security plan this month, setting leakage limits for 2025.
The crisis is expected to cost hundreds of billions of euros across Europe.
Without urgent action, Greece’s water shortages will only get worse.
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